Belderrig (archaeological site) facts for kids
 Location in Ireland
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| Location | Belderrig |
|---|---|
| Region | County Mayo |
| Coordinates | 54°18′42.8″N 9°32′57.4″W / 54.311889°N 9.549278°W |
| History | |
| Periods | Mesolithic, Neolithic |
| Site notes | |
| Excavation dates | 2005-2008 |
| Archaeologists | Graeme Warren |
Belderrig is a small village located on the beautiful North Mayo coast in Ireland. It's a very special place because it's part of the famous Céide Fields complex. This area is like a giant outdoor museum, showing us how people lived thousands of years ago during the Neolithic (New Stone Age) and Bronze Age. Archaeologists have found amazing clues here about ancient life.
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Discovering Belderrig's Past
The exciting archaeological digs at Belderrig began thanks to Graeme Warren, a professor from the School of Archaeology at University College Dublin. He visited the site in 2003 with another archaeologist, Seamas Caulfield, who first discovered its importance. They realized this area held secrets from very old times.
Where Were the Digs?
The excavations took place right on the low cliff next to Belderrig Harbour. The team also dug further up the hill. This allowed them to explore different layers of soil and rock, each holding clues about different periods of history.
What Did Archaeologists Find?
During the excavations from 2005 to 2008, archaeologists uncovered several interesting things. They found flat, stony areas called "platforms" and other layers of stones. These showed signs of human activity from the Mesolithic period, which is also known as the Middle Stone Age.
Ancient Time Periods
The Mesolithic activity at Belderrig dates back to around 4500 BC. That's about 6,500 years ago! Evidence of human life continued into the Neolithic period, with some findings dating to about 2500 BC. This means people lived and worked in Belderrig for thousands of years.
Signs of Early Life
Besides the stony platforms, the archaeologists also found several pits. These pits might have been used for storing food or for other daily activities. They also discovered prehistoric field walls, which are part of the larger Céide Fields complex. These walls show that people were farming the land here a very long time ago.
Tools from the Past
The tools found at Belderrig give us clues about how people lived. Most of the stone tools were made from a material called vein quartz. There were also smaller amounts of tools made from flint and siltstone. These tools were essential for hunting, gathering, and preparing food in ancient times.
